Contributing WriterJabe hails from Lyon, France and runs his own event series, ‘Kalao’. A key player in his native scene, Jabe is now set to make a mark on the wider underground circuit after coming onto the radar of Fiona Kraft; The pair connected over music and now he begins his production journey with this debut single. It comes after many years of DJing and growing up with a father who loves all forms of electronic music, from Jeff Mills’ techno to Kerri Chandler’s house…
Hey Jabe! Welcome to Music Is 4 Lovers. How’s your 2025 going so far?
Hello Music Is 4 Lovers, thank you for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to do this interview with you. 2025 marks the beginning of a new chapter for me since I’ve just graduated from my university. This allows me to fully dedicate myself to music, which is my true passion.
So far, everything is going perfectly; as you know, I’m lucky enough to release my very first single on Fiona Kraft’s Non Merci Music. In February, it’s also the beginning of new projects and exciting opportunities, whether with my ‘Kalao’ events or for my personal career, both in France and abroad.
Tell us about your upcoming debut release, ‘Haunted’; what do you hope listeners will take away from this single?
‘Haunted’ is a project I’ve been working on for a long time, and I’m very happy to see how it has evolved and matured over the months Collaborating with LOV was essential in this process; she brought a whole new perspective to the track, marking a real turning point for the project
When I produce, I never have a precise goal or fixed idea in mind. I let myself go with the flow and see where it takes me. But through my various tracks, I’ve realized that my music always carries a strong emotional dimension. I love conveying my emotions through my productions, which makes each project very personal.
With ‘Haunted’, I hope to guide listeners toward a more refined style, where LOV’s voice softens the track and enhances its emotional intensity. If I had to define this track, I’d say it’s a meeting of softness – with the piano notes and LOV’s voice – and a more industrial side, marked by an electric, metallic synth.
‘Haunted’ arrives via Fiona Kraft’s Non Merci Music. What led to this partnership with her recently established imprint?
As I mentioned, I’m the founder of the ‘Kalao’ parties. It’s been a year since we started organizing these events, and like any project, some parties were real successes, while others were less so.
I met Fiona during one of our events in the south of France, which unfortunately didn’t go as planned. However, our exchange was very positive. A few months later, I sent her an early version of ‘Haunted’ (withouLOV’s vocals). Fiona then advised me to collaborate with a singer, LOV, which ultimately gave birth to the track
This experience taught me that, regardless of the success or failure of a project, taking on multiple initiatives helps you meet inspiring people who help you grow.
As a producer/DJ currently based in Lyon, could you give us a deep dive into your local music scene? Which venues stand out to you?
There are two key scenes for me at the moment. The first is my hometown, Dijon. I’m particularly proud of it because I play a central role in developing the electronic music scene there. We were the first to launch events of this kind in the city, where the “soft” electronic scene had disappeared after the closure of the legendary club L’Enfer, back in our parents’ days. Since then, several collectives and organizations have emerged, and I’m thrilled to be part of this revival.
The second scene is Lyon, where I studied and grew significantly as an artist. A major player in this scene is a friend of mine, a DJ and event organizer who created the ‘Romantica’ parties. In my eyes, it’s currently the most notable event in Lyon.
What I love is that ‘Romantica’ consistently offers something of very high quality, both artistically and in terms of production. In a city where the techno scene is already well-established, it brings a fresh movement with more tech-house and Afro-house vibes, adding a beautiful musical diversity.
What was your favourite record of 2024 and why?
There are so many labels I love, but my favorite in 2024 was When We Dip’s ‘XYZ’. This label stands out with its unique sonic signature; it offers an emotional immersion while remaining very groovy and club-oriented.
Additionally, it showcases both established international artists and emerging talents. This variety brings incredible richness to their releases, and I love playing their tracks in my sets.
What are your main goals for the new year (in and outside of music)?
I have many projects for 2025, but my priority is to focus more on music production. At the same time, there’s a possibility of securing a residency in Asia, which I think could be extremely beneficial, both for my productions and for my career.
The Asian scene is rapidly developing and full of opportunities. I also plan to continue boosting the electronic scene in my hometown while exploring new horizons abroad.
In summary, 2025 marks a new chapter for me: I hope to release great tracks, organize events in both France and abroad, and share plenty of smiles with the audience.
It’s been great to chat with you. Do you have anything else in the works that you can share with us?
Thank you so much for this interview! Yes, I have several projects in the works, but I’d rather keep them a surprise for now. One thing’s for sure, 2025 promises to be a year full of creativity and exciting opportunities.
